If you/your kids are vegetarian, what would make you feed your kids meat?

This probably will turn into a debate over whether it's wrong to make a kid a vegetarian...but it's meant to be more of a survey. If you and/or your children are vegetarian, are there any circumstances where you would let your kids become meat-eaters?

I'm really interested in what vegetarians would say, not those who are not veg. And, I'm asking because my kids are currently vegetarian but I'm debating with myself whether I should let them eat meat for a variety of reasons.

Edited to be clearer: what I really mean is whether there is any situation where you feel like it would be better/easier to have your kids eat meat- like if there are severe food allergies that would impact a vegetarian diet or other health issues, or any other issues that weren't the standard "my kid wanted to try meat" story.

Sorry I'm not clearer. Obviously this makes sense in my own little brain...

--

Mom to DD Casey, adopted from Korea 4/9/09 (born 5/16/08) and DS Drew, born 4/11/10.

Comments (138)

Easier to be not veg? Sure... Many things we do for ethical, etc reasons arent always the easiest path. But it is worth it... My kids can choose to eat meat when they are old enough to understand why we dont, but I will not spend my money on it.

you apparently can't trust that asking for food prepared Buddhist-style will actually be fish-free.

That makes sense to me. We have a good friend who is from Nepal and Buddhist. His diet even in his home village included fish and poultry, even though he won't eat other meats. I don't know enough about the different types of Buddism practiced in different regions, but I have learned that Buddhist doesn't necessarily mean vegetarian as we in the US mean it.

And, just a little plug here, if you haven't tried Nepali food--- do it.

I originally stopped eating beef for environmental reasons. As I educated myself about the effects of meat eating on the planet I became more aware of the conditions that exist on factory farms so I stopped eating meat altogether. DH is not a vegetarian, nor is ODS. However, they rarely eat meat because I do the cooking. ODS (6) has never eaten beef even though he is free to have it when at a restaurant or friends house. I think just being raised in a home without it has made him decide not to eat it. He does eat chicken. DH and I have discussed raising LO to be a strict vegetarian because we feel it would be better for him but I don't think I would ever tell him he couldn't eat something that other people were having if he wanted to try it.

This is not one of my more humble moments, but here goes: I am a pretty great home cook. The fact that I don't offer meat to my daughter will be the least important aspect of her childhood experience with food. She will be exposed to dozens of culinary traditions, delicious homecooked meals, fresh and seasonal foods. She'll be spoiled by home-baked cookies and cakes and even ice cream; curries and stir-fries; lasagnas of several stripes; polentas and risottos; enchiladas and tamales; stuffed veggies; chili and stew; soups and chowders and gazpachos; homemade pizzas; savory tarts and other pastries; refrigerator pickles; hashes and purees and casseroles; cassoulet and mujaddara. I feel not a single ounce of guilt that she won't be able to try meat until she is older or eat meat regularly until she is on her own.